Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-28

Old Kate.
From Pioneer Times in California
In 1850. says the author Of 'sPioneer Times in
California" Bill Liddle had pack-train Of eight
| large mules at work for trader in one Of the
| northern mines One day he loaded his train
heavily and started for mining camp far in the
lnterOr On this trip he was obliged to pass along
dangerous trail some two miles In length. 1t was
| cut into the side OF rugged cliff thas overhung
the river. 1t was just wide enough for loaded
mule or horse to walk on safely with the cliff on
one side and fearful precipice ON the other
Bill started his train in on this pass with old
on the lead Old Kate was an animal q great in,
He had not advanced far on the narrow trail
when Kate gave loud bray, and in moment all
the mules were standing still Just ahead was an
preaching from the other direction ON jog trot.
1t was impossible for Bill to turn his mules
to unload, nor was theye room for the mules OF
the Two trains to pass without almost sure de-
Bill raised himself in the saddle and, in furious
tone, called on the other conductor to stop his
train. This he did but told Bill that he would not
go back on the trail because It was two miles to
the end OF the cliff and Bill would lose only few
hundred yards by going back. Bill explained the
1mpossibtity OF turning hts large American mules,
or OF unloading them on such narrow trafl.
All this while old Kate stood right I'M the center
OF the TRAIL her fOrelegs well apart as II to brace
herself. her nose lower than usual, and her long,
heavy ears thrown forward as II aimed at the head
mule OF the other train, while her eyes seemed
fixed on the animals motions
"Weu," said the conductor OF the California
mules Surlily 81 don't care. won't 90 back It's
| your place TO get out, and If lose a mule you'll
have to pay for it." Then cracking hts whip he
called to his head mule: 'Get up, Sail"
His mules seemed to know that there was dan.
| ger. Sal, the leader, Rugged close to the rocks
and made an excited rush forward toget inside q
| Kate.
Old ate had not moved a muscle, and stood
just in the center OF the trail as at first Bill
ger OF letting Sal get the inside and again raising
himself in the saddle, he called: "KaLe, go foi
them! Pitch 'em all oVerboardw
Before Bill'S order was out old Kate gave an un-
dropped on her knees, with her head stretched
out close along the rocks her neck and lower Jaw
! rubbing the trail, and received Sal across her
| neck.
| and then dropped heavily into the river below
Kate, keeping her kneeAng position, waited for
the next mule, which she sent after Sal
The California mules huddled close together In
| their driver, maddened by his loss, hauooed and
whipped them on. He was hoping that by sud
den and furious rush they could made leap and
dash over Kate, and then he could disiOdge the
rest OF the train and get even for his loss But he
did not know old Kate.
In minute one, two and three more of the
mules went after Sal into the river The remainder
sat back suileny and refused to move for shouting
or whips.
Old Kate rose to her feet and stood up as before,
with her ears dropped forward, as IL nothing had
happened. The discounted conductor, seeing
himself wOfsted, turned his mules, one by one, on
the trail, and went back with five less than when
he started.
The two conductors went to have the affair set
tied before an alcalde, who promptly gave decis-
ion In favor OF bil, and with the rough;and,
| the other driver to pay an ounce OF gold as the
costs OF court.